Is there an substitute for the iPhone on the Verizon network? That was the question bugging me for a long time. I looked at the Blackberry Storm, but the interface was slightly different. Not a lot, but it was enough that it didn't really appeal to me.

So even though I was due for a new phone for over a year, I kept putting off the purchase of a new phone hoping that a new version of some phone would come out. Finally, in desperation I thought I'd consider getting rid of my Verizon service and switching to AT&T. But there was only one problem. Despite AT&T's widespread "propaganda" about the nation's fewest dropped calls, most of my friends at business school didn't even get a signal when in school. I also remembered that 35 of us went camping last year and when somebody looked their keys in the car, there were only the two of us who had Verizon that were able to call AAA for help. What's the point of getting a fancy phone if its basic purpose of being able to make a phone call when you really need it isn't fulfilled!

Finally, I came across the LG VX11000 ENV Touch. Absolutely phenomenal! It has a touch screen just like the iPhone but what's better is that it has a clam shell body which opens up to a full QWERTY keyboard and a high resolution high contrast screen. Very useful when typing out text messages or a to do list.

As it so happens, I decided I didn't want to internet access over the summer. I wanted to wait until school started. Unlike the other PDA files which require you to carry internet coverage for an extra $30/month, this phone lets you chose whether you it or not.

The micro-SD card allows me to view excel, word and pdf files that are a real help in school. Very useful when I'm killing time waiting for something. I can just pop open an ebook and start reading! Or you can browse through your pictures or video collection. Who needs internet access!

Another useful feature is the voice-call which is handy when you're driving, along with the one-touch voice-memo feature.

The only thing that I felt could be improved is the addition of wifi capabilities. Useful, but not a deal-killer in my opinion.

I also didn't like the fact that you cannot use your mp3s into ring tones like you could in the older Samsung PDA phones. It's really annoying how the phone carriers cripple the capabilities of the phones just to look you in to spending more money.

But the best thing was the price! It was $180.00 but Verizon has an $80 mail-in rebate so it's not too expensive for a touch-screen phone. However it does lock you into another 2 year contract. If you don't want to be locked in, you can buy an unlocked LG ENV Touch
online.

I hope you enjoyed my review of the LG VX 11000 ENV Touch.